Light amount adjusting device, imaging optical system, and image capturing apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is provided with a light amount adjusting device. The light adjusting device has a plurality of optical filter elements. The plurality of optical filter elements have different light transmittances. Reflected light colors from the plurality of optical filter elements are substantially equal.

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2013/005134 filed on Aug. 30, 2013, and claims priority toJapanese Patent Application No. 2012-192229 filed on Aug. 31, 2012, theentire content of both of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a light amount adjusting device, animaging optical system, and an image capturing apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

The imaging system of a digital camera, a video camera, or the likeconventionally includes an image sensor and a mechanism that adjusts theamount of light incident on the image sensor. An example of themechanism that adjusts the light amount is a stop device. The stopdevice drives diaphragm blades and adjusts the opening diameter inaccordance with the luminance of an object, thereby adjusting the amountof light incident on the image sensor. When the luminance of the objectis high, the opening diameter needs to be small. However, when theopening has a predetermined diameter or less, image quality may degradedue to a hunting phenomenon or diffraction of light. A recent imagesensor has a high sensitivity, and the demand for further light amountsuppression is growing.

For this purpose, a light attenuation filter having an almost eventransmittance within the wavelength range of visible light (400 to 700nm), for example, an ND (Neutral Density) filter is used. Morespecifically, when the ND filter is arranged near the diaphragm blades,the amount of light incident on the image sensor can be attenuated whilemaintaining the opening diameter. There are, for example, an ND filtermade by mass-coloring glass or plastic with a pigment or dye and an NDfilter formed by stacking a plurality of inorganic films on a substrateby vacuum deposition, sputtering, or the like. Considering the opticalcharacteristic and the environmental characteristic, the latter NDfilter is generally used in the imaging optical system.

There has been developed a technology of providing a plurality of NDfilters in the imaging optical system and switching the ND filter to beinserted into the optical path in accordance with the luminance of anobject (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-222042). Also developed is atechnology of providing regions of different light transmittances in oneND filter and switching the region to be inserted into the optical pathin accordance with the luminance of an object (Japanese Patent Laid-OpenNo. 2004-295015).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the invention, a light amount adjustingdevice comprises a plurality of optical filter elements having differentlight transmittances, wherein reflected light colors from the pluralityof optical filter elements are substantially equal.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a light amountadjusting device comprises at least three ND filter elements havingdifferent light transmittances, wherein all of reflected light colorsfrom each of the at least three ND filter elements are substantiallyequal.

According to still another embodiment of the invention, an imagingoptical system comprises a light amount adjusting device, wherein thelight amount adjusting device comprises a plurality of optical filterelements having different light transmittances, and reflected lightcolors from the plurality of optical filter elements are substantiallyequal.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, an image capturingapparatus comprises an imaging optical system, wherein the imagingoptical system a light amount adjusting device, the light amountadjusting device comprises a plurality of optical filter elements havingdifferent light transmittances, and reflected light colors from theplurality of optical filter elements are substantially equal.

According to yet still another embodiment of the invention, an imagingoptical system comprises a light amount adjusting device, wherein thelight amount adjusting device comprises at least three ND filterelements having different light transmittances, and all of reflectedlight colors from each of the at least three ND filter elements aresubstantially equal.

According to still yet another embodiment of the invention, an imagecapturing apparatus comprises an imaging optical system, wherein theimaging optical system a light amount adjusting device, the light amountadjusting device comprises a plurality of optical filter elements havingdifferent light transmittances, and reflected light colors from theplurality of optical filter elements are substantially equal.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following descriptions taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an imaging optical system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a light amount adjusting device according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the reflection spectra of optical filters usedin an experimental example;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing human visual sensitivities;

FIG. 5A is a graph obtained by multiplying a reflection characteristicby a human visual sensitivity;

FIG. 5B is a graph obtained by multiplying a reflection characteristicby a human visual sensitivity;

FIG. 5C is a graph obtained by multiplying a reflection characteristicby a human visual sensitivity;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a light amount adjusting device according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the reflection characteristic of an opticalfilter according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an image capturing apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view showing masks used to form an optical filter accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the optical filter according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the optical filter according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the optical filter according to an embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the reflection characteristic of the opticalfilter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

When a light attenuation filter is used in the imaging optical system, aghost is readily formed. Especially when switching the light attenuationfilter, the formed ghost gives a large sense of discomfort to thephotographer.

Some embodiments of the present invention enable reduction of a sense ofdiscomfort that a ghost gives to a photographer when switching anoptical filter in accordance with the luminance of an object.

The present inventors found that a sense of discomfort that aphotographer feels due to a ghost is reduced by substantially equalizingthe reflected light colors of light attenuation filters and achieved thepresent invention.

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of thepresent invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging optical system 20 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The imaging optical system 20includes lenses 1 and 4 to 6, a light amount adjusting device 9, and animage sensor 7. Incident light passes through the lenses 1 and 4 to 6and the light amount adjusting device 9 and enters the image sensor 7.The image sensor 7 converts the incident light into an electrical signalrepresenting an image.

The light amount adjusting device 9 includes a plurality of opticalfilter elements having different light transmittances. The amount oflight incident on the image sensor 7 can be adjusted by switching theoptical filter element inserted in the optical path.

The optical filter element is a member that adjusts light transmission.The plurality of optical filter elements may be held on a singlesubstrate and constructed as one optical filter. The plurality ofoptical filter elements may be constructed as separate members. In thisembodiment, the light amount adjusting device includes an optical filterin which one or more optical filter elements are arranged. For example,the light amount adjusting device 9 may include a plurality of opticalfilters, and the plurality of optical filter elements may be arranged onthe separate optical filters, respectively. Alternatively, the lightamount adjusting device may include one optical filter, and theplurality of optical filter elements may be arranged on the one opticalfilter. In this embodiment, a plurality of optical filter elements 10 ato 13 a are arranged on separate optical filters 10 to 13, respectively.

In this embodiment, the light amount adjusting device 9 includes thefour optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a. However, the number ofoptical filter elements provided in the light amount adjusting device 9is not limited to this, and two or more optical filter elements suffice.The optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a have optical densities that aredifferent from each other. That is, the optical filter elements 10 a to13 a have different light transmittances. Such an optical filter elementcan be a light attenuation filter such as an ND filter. For example, thelight amount adjusting device 9 may include three or more ND filterelements having different light transmittances. The reflected lightcolors of the plurality of optical filter elements, that is, the opticalfilter elements 10 a to 13 a substantially equal. In the presentinvention, “reflected light colors substantially equal” preferablymeans, for example, that the reflected light colors of the plurality ofoptical filters equal within the range of a region where colors areregarded as even and identified as colors of the same system undervarious identification conditions and also within the range of colordifferences of marking pens, as shown in Table 2 to be described later.More preferably, the reflected light colors equal within the range wherecolors are regarded as almost the same by time-course comparison. Morepreferably, the reflected light colors equal within the range wherecolors are determined to be within the tolerance in consideration ofvarious kinds of error factors. More preferably, the reflected lightcolors equal within the indistinguishable range where color differencescannot be discriminated by measurements.

The light amount adjusting device 9 further includes a driving unit 15(moving means) capable of inserting and retracting each optical filterelement into and from the optical path, that is, arranging and removingeach optical filter element in and from the optical path. In FIG. 1, anoptical filter 3 that is one of the four optical filters is inserted inthe optical path. The light amount adjusting device 9 changes theoptical filter arranged in the optical path, that is, changes theoptical filter element arranged in the optical path using the drivingunit 15, thereby controlling the amount of light incident on the imagesensor 7. The optical filter to be arranged in the optical path can bedecided in consideration of the amount of light incident on the imagesensor 7, the diameter of diaphragm blades 2 a and 2 b, and the like.

For example, the imaging optical system 20 may include a light amountcontrol unit 8 or may be communicably connected to the light amountcontrol unit 8. The light amount control unit 8 decides the opticalfilter to be arranged in the optical path so as to optimize the amountof light incident on the image sensor 7 based on light amountinformation obtained from the image sensor 7, the position informationof the diaphragm blades 2 a and 2 b, and the like. Based on thisdecision, the light amount adjusting device 9 can change the opticalfilter arranged in the optical path.

The light amount adjusting device 9 may further include the diaphragmblades 2 a and 2 b. The diaphragm blades 2 a and 2 b form the opening ofthe optical path of the imaging optical system 20. The diaphragm blades2 a and 2 b can be arranged in consideration of the amount of lightincident on the image sensor 7, the diameter of the diaphragm blades 2 aand 2 b, and the like. For example, the light amount control unit 8 mayacquire the position information of the diaphragm blades 2 a and 2 b.The light amount control unit 8 may drive the diaphragm blades 2 a and 2b so as to obtain an optimum opening based on the light amountinformation obtained from the image sensor 7, the position informationof the diaphragm blades 2 a and 2 b, and the like.

The light amount adjusting device 9 will be described below in moredetail with reference to FIG. 2. In the light amount adjusting device 9shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of optical filters 10 to 13 canindependently enter/retreat in/from the optical path. As shown in FIG.2, the driving unit 15 can switch the position of each of the opticalfilters 10 to 13 between the position on the optical path and thatoutside the optical path. As described above, each of the opticalfilters 10 to 13 includes an optical filter element (for example,optical filter element 10 a) to be inserted into the optical path tocover the opening.

Another embodiment of the light amount adjusting device 9 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 6. In the light amount adjusting device9 shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of optical filter elements 10 a to 13 aare arranged like a turret. More specifically, the plurality of opticalfilter elements 10 a to 13 a are circularly arranged on a disc. When thedriving unit 15 rotates the disc, a desired optical filter element isinserted into the optical path. To reduce the sense of discomfort of thephotographer upon switching the optical filter element, the opticalfilter elements are preferably arranged on the disc in the order of themagnitude of transmittance.

In this embodiment, the optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a provided inthe light amount adjusting device 9 have different light transmittances.The reflected light colors of the optical filter elements 10 a to 13 asubstantially equal. When the light amount adjusting device 9 includesthe optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a of such a combination, thesense of discomfort that a ghost gives to the photographer can bereduced even upon switching the optical filter element.

More specifically, it was found that when the reflected light colors ofthe optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a substantially equal, the colorof a ghost hardly changes upon switching the optical filter element. Itis believed that this reduces the sense of discomfort given to thephotographer.

The present inventors estimate as follows the reason why the color of aghost hardly changes even upon switching the optical filter element whenthe optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a of the above combination areused. That is, the ghost is assumed to be formed by light reflectionnear the image sensor. For example, a ghost can be formed when lightthat has passed through the optical filter element and the lenses onceis reflected near the image sensor and reflected by the optical filterelement and the lenses again and then enters the image sensor. Inparticular, since the optical filter element has a high reflectance ascompared to the lenses and the like and readily causes a ghost, it isconsidered that the correlation between the color of the ghost and thereflected light colors of the optical filter elements 10 a to 13 abecomes large.

For this reason, the reflected light colors on the image sensor-sidesurfaces of the optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a on the image sensorside probably especially affect the color of the ghost. From thisviewpoint, the reflected light colors on the image sensor-side surfacesof the optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a preferably substantiallyequal. However, the reflected light colors on the object-side surfacesof the optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a are also considered toaffect the color of the ghost. This is because a ghost can be formedeven when, for example, light reflected by the object-side surface ofone of the optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a and further reflected bythe lens 1 enters the image sensor 7. From this viewpoint, the reflectedlight colors on the object-side surfaces of the optical filter elements10 a to 13 a also preferably substantially equal. More preferably, thereflected light colors on the image sensor-side surfaces of the opticalfilter elements 10 a to 13 a substantially equal, and additionally, thereflected light colors on the object-side surfaces of the optical filterelements 10 a to 13 a substantially equal.

Out of the plurality of optical filter elements, two optical filterelements having transmittances close to each other preferably havesubstantially equal reflected light colors. Here, “two optical filterelements having transmittances close to each other” indicate two (a setof) optical filter elements that are located adjacent to each other whenthe plurality of optical filter elements are arranged in the order ofthe magnitude of transmittance. In this embodiment, the transmittancesof the optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a are assumed to have arelationship represented by optical filter element 10 a>optical filterelement 11 a>optical filter element 12 a>optical filter element 13 a. Inthis case, “two optical filter elements having transmittances close toeach other” indicate the set of the optical filter elements 10 a and 11a, the set of the optical filter elements 11 a and 12 a, or the set ofthe optical filter elements 12 a and 13 a. The reflected light colorspreferably substantially equal for at least one of the sets of opticalfilter elements. In this case, it is possible to reduce the sense ofdiscomfort that the ghost gives to the photographer when performingswitching between the two optical filter elements having transmittancesclose to each other. More preferably, the reflected light colorssubstantially equal for all of the sets of optical filter elements.

As another detailed example, the reflected light colors preferablysubstantially equal for all of the plurality of optical filter elements.

The expression “reflected light colors substantially equal” will beexplained below. The reflected light color means the surface color of anoptical filter element when light strikes its surface. A case where ahuman can visually determine reflected light colors as equal is alsoincluded in “reflected light colors substantially equal”. If a humancannot visually distinguish reflected light colors, the reflected lightcolors can be identified as substantially equal or the same. Hence, thiscase is also included in “reflected light colors substantially equal”.Note that the reflected light color can be observed using, for example,D₆₅ as the light source by setting the incident angle to 5° and thereflection angle to 5°.

The reflected light colors can be considered as substantially equal whenthe color difference between the reflected light colors is 10 or less,more preferably, 5 or less, more preferably, 0.6 or less, andparticularly preferably, 0.2 or less. That is, for the optical filterelements 10 a to 13 a, preferably, the reflected light colorssubstantially equal, and the color difference between the reflectedlight colors is 10 or less, more preferably, 5 or less. Morespecifically, for the optical filter elements 10 a to 13 a, the colordifference between the reflected light colors on the image sensor-sidesurfaces is preferably 10 or less, more preferably, 5 or less. Inaddition, the color difference in the reflected light colors ispreferably 10 or less, more preferably, 5 or less between two opticalfilter elements having transmittances close to each other. Furthermore,the color difference in the reflected light colors is preferably 10 orless, more preferably, 5 or less between all optical filter elements.When such a condition is satisfied, it is possible to reduce the senseof discomfort that the ghost gives to the photographer when switchingthe optical filter element. Here, the color difference is calculatedfrom a CIE 2000 color difference formula to be described later. D₆₅ isused as the light source, and an incident angle of 5° and a sensitivityin a 10-degree visual field are used.

More specifically, the color difference in the reflected light colors onthe image sensor-side surfaces is preferably 10 or less between alloptical filter elements, and the color difference in the reflected lightcolors on the image sensor-side surfaces is preferably 5 or less betweentwo optical filter elements having transmittances close to each other.This arrangement can reduce the sense of discomfort given to thephotographer even when sequentially switching optical filters havingtransmittances close to each other.

In this embodiment, the color difference between the reflected lightcolors indicates, for example, a color difference obtained in accordancewith the CIE 2000 color difference formula. The color difference canalso be calculated using a CIE L*a*b* color difference formularepresented by equation (1) below. However, to more accurately evaluatethe color difference that a human can visually perceive, the CIE 2000color difference formula represented by equation (2) below, whichconsiders the human visual sensitivity better, is preferably used. Thecolor difference between the reflected light colors of the opticalfilter elements based on the CIE 2000 color difference formula can besaid to be almost on the same level as a color difference based on humanvision.[Mathematical 1]ΔE* _(ab)=[(ΔL*)²+(Δa*)²+(Δb*)²]^(1/2)  (1)[Mathematical 2]ΔE* ₀₀=[(ΔL*/(K _(L) ·S _(L)))²+(ΔC* _(ab)/(K _(C) ·S _(C)))²+(ΔH*_(ab)/(K _(H) ·S _(H)))²+(R _(T)(ΔC* _(ab)/(K _(C) ·S _(C)))·(ΔH*_(ab)/(K _(H) ·S _(H))))]^(1/2)  (2)

where

ΔL*, ΔC*, ΔH*: color difference values with respect to a reference colorin the L*a*b* color system

K_(L), K_(C), K_(H): parametric coefficients

S_(L), S_(C), S_(H): weighting coefficients

R_(T): rotation function

The parametric coefficients K_(L), K_(C), and K_(H) represent abrightness coefficient, a chroma coefficient, and a hue coefficient,respectively, which are constants arbitrarily set by test conditions.

The weighting coefficients S_(L), S_(C), and S_(H) are given by[Mathematical 3]S _(L)=1+0.015(L*−50)²/(20+(L*−50)²)^(1/2)  (3)S _(C)=1+0.045 C* _(ab)  (4)S _(H)=1+0.015 C* _(ab) L*  (5)

The rotation coefficient R_(T) is given by[Mathematical 4]R _(T)=−sin(2Δθ)R _(C)  (6)

Δθ and R_(C) are given by[Mathematical 5]Δθ=30exp{−[(h _(ab)−275)/25]²}R _(C)=2[( C* _(ab))⁷/(( C* _(ab))⁷)+25⁷)]^(1/2)

where h: metric color difference of a reference sample

The color of a ghost that occurs in the imaging optical system isprobably affected by the sensitivity of the image sensor. However, thesensitivity of the image sensor to visible light is relatively close tothe sensitivity of a human eye. For this reason, the color differencebetween the reflected light colors calculated by the CIE 2000 colordifference formula represents a change in the tint of the ghost uponswitching the optical filter element well.

A human can recognize a color because of a sensation corresponding tothe primary colors of light, that is, “red”, “green”, and “blue”. Ahuman eye has different sensitivities to “red”, “green”, and “blue”.FIG. 4 is a graph showing human eye sensitivities to “red”, “green”, and“blue”. In the graph, “xbar”, “ybar”, and “zbar” are the sensitivitiesto “red”, “green”, and “blue”, respectively. A color that a humanvisually recognizes from light having a predetermined reflectionspectrum is determined in accordance with an area ratio obtained bymultiplying the reflection spectrum by “xbar”, “ybar”, and “zbar”. Forexample, FIG. 5A is a graph obtained by multiplying a reflectionspectrum indicated as “reference” in FIG. 3 by “xbar”. FIG. 5B is agraph obtained by multiplying the reflection spectrum by “ybar”. FIG. 5Cis a graph obtained by multiplying the reflection spectrum by “zbar”.

The color visually recognized by a human is determined by the areas ofregions “X”, “Y”, and “Z” indicated by hatching in FIGS. 5A to 5C. Thatis, when the areas of the regions “X”, “Y”, and “Z” measured for thereflection spectra of the optical filter elements substantially equal,the reflected light colors of the optical filter elements substantiallyequal. For this reason, even when the optical filter element isswitched, the change in the tint of the ghost is small, and the sense ofdiscomfort given to the photographer can be reduced. The graphs in FIG.4 correspond to color matching functions defined by CIE, and the areasof “X”, “Y”, and “Z” correspond to tristimulus values. The reflectionspectrum represents the reflectance of an optical filter element on awavelength basis. Here, the reflection spectrum is measured at anincident angle to 5° and a reflection angle to 5°.

As described above, the areas of “X”, “Y”, and “Z” obtained in theabove-described manner preferably substantially equal between theplurality of optical filter elements. More specifically,ΔY≤25  (7){(“X”/“Y”)max/(“X”/“Y”)min}≤2  (8){(“Z”/“Y”)max/(“Z”/“Y”)min}≤5  (9)are preferably satisfied.

In equations (7) to (9), ΔY is the difference between the maximum valueof “Y” and the minimum value or “Y” for all optical filter elementsmounted in the light amount adjusting device. (“X”/“Y”)max and(“X”/“Y”)min are the maximum value of (“X”/“Y”) and the minimum value of(“X”/“Y”) for all optical filter elements mounted in the light amountadjusting device. (“Z”/“Y”)max and (“Z”/“Y”)min are the maximum value of(“Z”/“Y”) and the minimum value of (“Z”/“Y”) for all optical filterelements mounted in the light amount adjusting device.

In addition, the areas of “X”, “Y”, and “Z” preferably substantiallyequal between two optical filter elements having transmittances close toeach other out of the optical filter elements mounted in the lightamount adjusting device. More specifically,ΔY≤12.5  (10){(“X”/“Y”)max/(“X”/“Y”)min}≤1.5  (11){(“Z”/“Y”)max/(“Z”/“Y”)min}≤2.5  (12)are preferably satisfied.

In equations (10) to (12), ΔY is the difference between a larger “Y” anda smaller “Y” for the two optical filter elements. (“X”/“Y”)max and(“X”/“Y”)min are a larger (“X”/“Y”) and a smaller (“X”/“Y”) for the twooptical filter elements. (“Z”/“Y”)max and (“Z”/“Y”)min are a larger(“Z”/“Y”) and a smaller (“Z”/“Y”) for the two optical filter elements.

Furthermore, the reflectances preferably substantially equal between theplurality of optical filter elements. The magnitude of the reflectanceof an optical filter element is considered to affect the intensity of aghost. Hence, in this case, the intensity of a formed ghost rarelychanges between the plurality of optical filter elements. Since theintensity of the ghost rarely changes even when the optical filterelement is switched, the sense of discomfort given to the photographercan further be reduced.

More preferably, the reflection spectra substantially equal between theplurality of optical filter elements. That the reflection spectrasubstantially equal between the plurality of optical filter elementsmeans that the reflectances substantially equal between the plurality ofoptical filter elements for light of various wavelengths. Hence, thesense of discomfort given to the photographer can further be reducedunder various shooting conditions. When the reflected light colors aresubstantially equalized between the plurality of optical filterelements, and the reflection spectrums are substantially equalizedbetween the plurality of optical filter elements, as described above,the sense of discomfort given to the photographer can be reduced moreefficiently. For example, the maximum reflectance difference ispreferably 1.0% or less, more preferably, 0.5% or less between theoptical filter element having the highest maximum reflectance and thathaving the lowest maximum reflectance out of the optical filter elementsmounted in the light amount adjusting device. The maximum reflectance isa reflectance at a wavelength of the highest reflectance within a lightwavelength range of 400 to 700 nm.

Experimental Example

Experiments were conducted to examine the influence of the colordifference in the reflected light colors between optical filter elementson a photographer. More specifically, four optical filters wereprepared. The optical filters respectively include optical filterelements having equal light transmittances. The reflection spectrum ofthe first optical filter is indicated by “reference” in FIG. 3. Thereflection spectra of the second to fourth optical filters are indicatedby “color difference 5”, “color difference 10”, and “color difference15” in FIG. 3, respectively. The color differences between the reflectedlight color of the first optical filter and the reflected light colorsof the second, third, and fourth optical filters, which are calculatedby the CIE 2000 color difference formula, are 5, 10, and 15,respectively. To calculate the color differences, D₆₅ was used as thelight source, the incident angle was set to 5°, a sensitivity in a10-degree visual field was used, and all the parametric coefficientsK_(L), K_(C), and K_(H) were set to 1. The above reflection spectra andreflected light colors were measured on the image sensor-side surfacesof the optical filters.

The first optical filter and the second to fourth optical filters wereincorporated in a single light amount adjusting device. That is, thelight amount adjusting device includes four optical filter elements. Thelight amount adjusting device was incorporated in an imaging opticalsystem. An image captured by an image sensor provided in the imagingoptical system was presented to the photographer via a display unit. Itwas visually evaluated whether a color change of a ghost was perceivedupon changing the optical filter inserted in the optical path from thefirst optical filter to each of the second to fourth optical filters.Table 1 shows the result. “Color difference 5” shows the result obtainedupon changing from the first optical filter to the second opticalfilter, “color difference 10” shows the result obtained upon changingfrom the first optical filter to the third optical filter, and “colordifference 15” shows the result obtained upon changing from the firstoptical filter to the fourth optical filter. Note that in the opticalfilters of “color difference 5”, “color difference 10”, and “colordifference 15” shown in Table 1, the color differences were 4.3, 9.0,and 14.8 in a 2-degree visual field.

TABLE 1 Color difference 5 10 15 Evaluation ⊚ ◯ X

In Table 1, ⊚ represents that there was no sense of discomfort as all,and switching of the optical filter was unnoticed. ◯ represents thatthere was almost no sense of discomfort, and the tint did not so largelychange although switching of the optical filter was noticed. xrepresents that there was a sense of discomfort, and the change in thetint upon switching the optical filter was clearly observed.

As shown in Table 1, when the color difference in the reflected lightcolors between the optical filters was 15 or more, the color change ofthe ghost upon switching the optical filter was perceived. On the otherhand, when the color difference was 10 or less, the color change of theghost gave no sense of discomfort to the photographer. When the colordifference was 5 or less, the color change of the ghost was notrecognized by the photographer.

As is apparent from the experiments, when the color difference betweenthe reflected light colors on the surfaces on the image sensor side is10 or less and, more particularly, 5 or less between the plurality ofoptical filters, the sense of discomfort of the photographer is reduced.

Optical filter switching is normally done between optical filters havingadjacent transmittances. Hence, when the color difference in thereflected light colors on the image sensor side is decreased to 5 orless between the optical filters having adjacent transmittances, thesense of discomfort given to the photographer can be reduceddramatically.

It can also be considered that the switching of the optical filter iscontinuously done in a short period, for example, switching from thefirst filter to the second filter is performed, and switching from thesecond filter to the third filter is further performed. In this case aswell, if the color difference in the reflected light colors is 10 orless between all optical filters, and the color difference in thereflected light colors is 5 or less between optical filters havingadjacent transmittances, the photographer cannot recognize the filterswitching and can also rarely recognize the change in the tint.

That is, if the reflected light colors of at least three optical filtersto be continuously switched substantially equal, no sense of discomfortis given to the photographer. For example, in another embodiment, if thereflected light colors of at least three optical filters to becontinuously switched in the order of the magnitude of transmittancesubstantially equal, and the number of optical filters thatenter/retreat in/from the optical path increase from four to five or sixor more, the color difference is allowed to some extent between alloptical filters.

Table 2 shows classification of allowable color differences (see newversion of Handbook of Color Science, 2nd edition, Color ScienceAssociation in Japan). As shown in Table 2, two colors having a colordifference of 5 or less are recognized as almost the same color bytime-course comparison. Ghost tints before and after switching of theoptical filter are compared in time course, and the above-describedexperimental results match the contents of Table 2.

TABLE 2 Color difference Grade Remarks To 0.2 Immeasurable region To 0.3Identifiable color Colorimetry reproduction difference accuracy of sameobject To 0.6 Grade 1 (strict Practical tolerance limit when colordifference) various error factors are taken into consideration. To 1.2Grade 2 (practical Most people can easily recognize color difference a)the color difference if samples are put side by side. Munsel grade AAA.OD colors of Defense Agency. To 2.5 Grade 3 (practical People can regardcolors as color difference b) almost the same upon determining samplesput apart. Munsel grade AA, JIS standard colors. To 5.0 Grade 4 Peoplecan regard colors as almost the same by time-course comparison. Munselgrade A. To 10.0 Grade 5 Marking pens (JIS 6037-1992) To 20.0 Grade 6Management of colors on color name level. General rules of coating filmsfor automobile parts (JIS D 0202 1988) Color difference of Railwaycrossing equipment (JIS E 3701- 1984) Stamp pads (JIS S 6016-1991)Pencils, colored pencils, and leads for mechanical pencils (JIS S6005-1992) General rules of safety colors (JIS Z 9109-1986)Identification marking for piping systems Aerospace-Pipelines-Identification (JIS W 0601-1990)

A detailed example of this embodiment will be described below. A casewhere the light amount is adjusted using at least one ND filter (NDfilter element) and at least one AR (Anti-Reflection) filter as aplurality of optical filter elements will be explained below. Here, thereflected light color of the ND filter and the reflected light color ofthe AR filter substantially equal.

The optical density of the AR filter is almost (the transmittance isalmost 100%). More specifically, the light transmittance of the ARfilter is preferably 90% or more, and more preferably, 95% or more. Ifthe luminance of the object is high, and the light amount needs to beadjusted, the ND filter is inserted into the optical path. On the otherhand, if the light amount need not be adjusted, the ND filter is removedfrom the optical path. In this case, defocusing may occur before andafter removal of the ND filter. Defocusing caused by thepresence/absence of the optical filter element is greatly affected bythe thick transparent substrate of the filter. Hence, when the ND filteris removed, the AR filter having a similar transparent substrate isinserted instead, thereby reducing defocusing.

The AR filter is a filter having an anti-reflection function. In thisexample, the AR filter was designed such that the reflected light colorof the ND filter and the reflected light color of the AR filtersubstantially equal. For this reason, the reflectance of the AR filterneed not be very low. For example, for a wavelength of 450 to 650 nmthat largely affects human color perception, the average reflectance ofthe AR filter can be 0.3% or more, or 0.5% or more. This can reduce thesense of discomfort of the photographer when switching is performedbetween the AR filter and the ND filter.

The light amount adjusting device 9 according to this example includesthree ND filters and one AR filter as a plurality of optical filterelements. More specifically, the light amount adjusting device 9includes an AR filter having an optical density of almost 0 (calledND_00) and ND filters respectively having optical densities of 0.5, 1.0,and 1.5 (called ND_05, ND_10, and ND_15, respectively). Letting T be thetransmittance of a filter, the optical density (OD) is given byOD=Log(1/T). The higher the transmittance is, the lower the opticaldensity is.

The optical filter element ND_00 was formed by stacking a plurality ofthin films having different refractive indices on a transparentsubstrate.

In recent years, a plastic substrate is used as a transparent substratefor the purpose of reducing the size and weight of an imaging opticalsystem. Various kinds of materials can be used as the plastic substrate,and a polyester resin, norbornene resin, polyether resin, acrylic resin,styrene resin, and the like are usable. In addition, a PES (polyethersulphone) resin, polysulfone resin, PEN (polyethylene naphthalate)resin, PC (polycarbonate) resin, polyimide resin, and the like are alsousable. A glass substrate may be used. In this example, PET(polyethylene terephthalate) was used as the transparent substrate.

When using a plastic substrate, a plastic substrate having a high glasstransition temperature Tg, a high elastic modulus in bending, and a lowwater absorbing property is preferably used in consideration ofdeformation due to membrane stress or thermal stress upon depositing adielectric layer or a light absorption layer. The substrate ispreferably as thin as possible within a range capable of maintainingrigidity. The thickness is preferably about 20 μm to 200 μm, and morepreferably, about 25 μm to 100 μm. In this example, a substrate having athickness of 50 μm was used.

The thin films on the transparent substrate of the optical filterelement ND_00 can be deposited using, for example, vacuum deposition,sputtering, ion plating, IAD, or the like. In this example, the thinfilms were deposited using vacuum deposition.

The optical filter elements ND_05, ND_10, and ND_15 can be formed inaccordance with a conventionally known method. In this example, eachoptical filter element was formed by stacking a dielectric film and alight absorption film on a transparent substrate using vacuumdeposition. The reflected light colors substantially equal between thethree ND filters.

The reflected light color of at least one ND filter and the reflectedlight color of the AR filter (ND_00) preferably substantially equalbecause the sense of discomfort of the photographer upon switching thefilter can be reduced. In particular, reflected light colors on theimage sensor-side surfaces preferably substantially equal. Normally,switching is performed between the AR filter and the ND filter (ND_05)having the lowest optical density. Hence, the reflected light color ofthe AR filter and the reflected light color of the ND filter (ND_05)having the lowest optical density preferably substantially equal.

When the light amount adjusting device 9 has the arrangement shown inFIG. 2, the AR filter may be arranged between two of the three NDfilters or outside the group of the three ND filters. At any rate, thelight amount can be adjusted by switching the ND filters and the ARfilter. When the light amount adjusting device 9 has the arrangementshown in FIG. 6, the AR filter is preferably arranged to be adjacent tothe ND filter (ND_05) having the lowest optical density to reduce thesense of discomfort of the photographer upon switching the filter.

When designing the AR filter, the reflectance is easily designed low ascompared to the ND filters because the absorption characteristic of thefilter need not be taken into consideration. In this example, however,the AR filter was designed in accordance with the reflection spectra ofthe remaining three ND filters. FIG. 7 shows the reflection spectra ofthe optical filter elements provided in the light amount adjustingdevice 9 of this example.

As for the color difference between optical filters having adjacenttransmittances, the color difference in the reflected light colorsbetween the AR filter and ND_05 is 1.992, the color difference in thereflected light colors between ND_05 and ND_10 is 1.242, and the colordifference in the reflected light colors between ND_10 and ND_15 is1.607. The largest color difference in the reflected light colors amongthe four optical filter elements is the color difference in thereflected light colors between the AR filter and ND_15, that is, 1.998.To calculate the color differences, the CIE 2000 color differenceformula was used, D₆₅ was used as the light source, the incident anglewas set to 5°, and a sensitivity in a 10-degree visual field was used asa condition.

The AR filter has a low light absorbance, and transmittance[%]+reflectance [%]≈100[%]. As shown in FIG. 7, when the reflectance ofthe AR filter at 500 to 600 nm is raised, the transmittance in thisregion lowers. However, since the AR filter has a very hightransmittance, there is rarely an influence on the color balance evenwhen the transmission characteristic is uneven to some extent.

In this example, the AR filter was formed by stacking thin films havingdifferent refractive indices on a transparent substrate, and each NDfilter was formed by stacking a dielectric film and a light absorptionfilm on a transparent substrate. The spectral characteristics of theseoptical filter elements are determined mainly by interference betweenthe thin films or the absorption characteristics of the films. That is,the refractive index and extinction coefficient that are the materialcharacteristics of each thin film, the film thickness of each layer, andthe number of layers affect the spectral characteristic of an opticalfilter element. In this example, each optical filter element having adesired spectral characteristic was formed by appropriately adjustingthese factors. The spectral characteristic of an optical filter elementusing interference between thin films changes depending on the incidentangle of light. However, when the light amount adjusting deviceaccording to the present invention is used in the imaging opticalsystem, the incident angle is only about 10° to 15°, and the reflectedlight color rarely changes.

Second Embodiment

A light amount adjusting device 9 according to another embodiment willbe described below. In this embodiment, a plurality of optical filterelements are held on a single substrate and constructed as one opticalfilter. That is, the light amount adjusting device according to thisembodiment includes one optical filter, and a plurality of opticalfilter elements having different light transmittances are arranged inthe one optical filter.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the optical filter according to thisembodiment. The optical filter shown in FIG. 12 includes four opticalfilter elements A to D. The optical filter element A forms an AR regionhaving a function as an AR filter. The optical filter elements B to Dfrom ND regions each having a function as an ND filter. The structure ofthe optical filter elements A to D is the same as the above-describedoptical filter elements 10 a to 13 a. That is, the reflected lightcolors of the optical filter elements A to D substantially equal.Additionally, the optical filter is designed such that the reflectedlight colors in the ND regions and the reflected light color in the ARregion substantially equal.

The AR region may be arranged between two of the three ND regions oroutside the group of the three ND regions. To efficiently switch theoptical filter element, the optical filter element A, the optical filterelement B, the optical filter element C, and the optical filter elementD are preferably arranged in this order, as shown in FIG. 12.

A detailed example of this embodiment will be described below. In thisexample, the optical density of the optical filter element A (AR regioncalled ND_00) is almost 0, and the optical densities of the opticalfilter elements B to D (ND regions called ND_05, ND_10, and ND_15,respectively) are 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5, respectively.

FIG. 13 shows the reflection spectra of the optical filter elementsaccording to this example. The color difference in the reflected lightcolors between ND_00 (A) an ND_05 (B) was 1.949. The color difference inthe reflected light colors between ND_05 (B) and ND_10 (C) was 0.196.The color difference in the reflected light colors between ND_10 (C) andND_15 (D) was 2.171. The largest color difference in the reflected lightcolors among the four regions was the color difference between ND_05 (B)and ND_15 (D), that is, 2.360. To calculate the color differences, theCIE 2000 color difference formula was used, D₆₅ was used as the lightsource, and a 10-degree visual field was used as a condition.

The optical filter according to this example will further be explainedwith reference to FIG. 10 that is a sectional view of the optical filteraccording to this example. The optical filter according to this examplehas a structure in which films are stacked on a substrate. The substrateincludes first to nth regions. First to ith films having first to ithoptical densities are stacked on at least one of the obverse surface andthe reverse surface of the substrate. Here, n is an integer (n≥2), and iis an integer (1≤i≤n).

More specifically, the optical filter shown in FIG. 10 has a structurein which first to fourth films A′ to D′ are stacked on a PET substrateG. The first to fourth films A′ to D′ have predetermined opticaldensities, more specifically, first to fourth optical densities.Additional films may be stacked in the optical filter. For example,additional films E′ and F′ are stacked in the optical filter shown inFIG. 10.

The PET substrate G includes first to fourth regions. In the ith regionof the PET substrate G, first to ith films are stacked on at least oneof the obverse surface and the reverse surface of the PET substrate G.In the example of FIG. 10, the first region corresponds to the opticalfilter element A, where the first film A′ is stacked. The second regioncorresponds to the optical filter element B, where the first film A′ andthe second film B′ are stacked. The third region corresponds to theoptical filter element C, where the first to third films A′ to C′ arestacked. The fourth region corresponds to the optical filter element D,where the first to fourth films A′ to D′ are stacked.

The deposition method of the optical filter according to this examplewill be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 showsdeposition masks, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the optical filteraccording to this example.

First, a deposition mask 30 a having an opening of a shape to deposit onthe PET substrate G is set. The deposition mask 30 a is attached to adeposition umbrella while setting the surface of the deposition mask 30a facing downward. The deposition umbrella rotates at a predeterminedspeed at the time of deposition so as not to change the film thicknessor substrate temperature depending on the set position. The depositionumbrella is set in the deposition apparatus. When a predeterminedtemperature and a predetermined degree of vacuum are obtained, acrucible with a deposition material is heated to deposit a film up to apredetermined film thickness. Thin films of a plurality of layers arethus stacked, thereby forming the film A′.

In this example, the optical density of the optical filter element A isalmost 0. For this reason, TiO₂ and SiO₂ that rarely absorb visiblelight were used as the material of the film A′. As other materials thatrarely absorb visible light, for example, MgF₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, LaTiO₃,ZrO₂, Nb₂O₅, Ta₂O₅, and the like are usable.

After the film A′, the substrate was unloaded from the depositionapparatus, the deposition mask 30 a was exchanged with a deposition mask30 b, and the film B′ was formed, like the film A′. The film B′ wasobtained by stacking a plurality of layers of SiO₂ serving as adielectric film and TiO_(x) serving as a light absorption film. Asanother dielectric film material, for example, MgF₂, Al₂O₃, SiO, MgO,LaTiO₃, ZrO₂, or the like may be used. As another light absorption filmmaterial, a metal or alloy or an oxide or nitride thereof such as Ti,Ni, Cr, NiCr, NiFe, or Nb is usable.

After formation of the film B′, the substrate was unloaded from thedeposition apparatus again, and the deposition mask 30 b was exchangedwith a deposition mask 30 c. The film C′ was formed, like the film B′.

After formation of the film C′, the substrate was unloaded from thedeposition apparatus again, and the deposition mask 30 c was exchangedwith a deposition mask 30 d. The film D′ was formed, like the film C′.

After formation of the film D′, the deposition mask 30 d was exchangedwith the deposition mask 30 a again, and SiO₂ (E′) serving as ananti-reflection film was formed. As the material of the anti-reflectionfilm, a material having a low refractive index is preferable.Alternatively, MgF₂ or the like is suitable.

After deposition of the films A′ to E′, the substrate was turned upsidedown, and F′ serving as an anti-reflection film was formed. The samematerial as A′ was used for F′.

The optical filter according to this embodiment has been describedabove. However, the structure of the optical filter according to thisembodiment is not limited to that shown in FIG. 10. For example, asshown in FIG. 11, films having a light absorption characteristic may beprovided on both surfaces of a transparent substrate. The optical filterelements, that is, the regions of ND_00, ND_05, ND_10, and ND_15 in theexample may independently be provided on the optical filter. That is,the optical filter according to the embodiment may include a pluralityof regions having different light transmittances, and the plurality ofregions need only have reflected light colors that substantially equal.

Third Embodiment

An imaging optical system 20 including the above-described light amountadjusting device 9 is usable in an image capturing apparatus. The imagecapturing apparatus including the imaging optical system 20 can reducethe sense of discomfort given to the photographer upon switching theoptical filter in accordance with the luminance of an object. Examplesof the image capturing apparatus capable of including the imagingoptical system 20 are a video camera and a digital still camera.

FIG. 8 showing the schematic arrangement of a video camera as an exampleof the image capturing apparatus. A video camera body 51 includes theabove-described imaging optical system 20 including a lens 1, a lightamount adjusting device 9, and an image sensor 7. A camera controlcircuit (not shown) determines the light amount based on a photoelectricconversion signal from the image sensor 7, and switches the filterprovided in the light amount adjusting device 9 in accordance with thedetermination result, and adjusts the light amount. A liquid crystalmonitor 55 is provided on a side surface of the video camera body 51 soas to be open/closed. A viewfinder 56 is used to observe an object imagecaptured by the image sensor 7.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments andvarious changes and modifications can be made within the spirit andscope of the present invention. Therefore, to apprise the public of thescope of the present invention, the following claims are made.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1, 4-6 . . . lens    -   2 a, 2 b . . . diaphragm blade    -   3 . . . optical filter    -   7 . . . image sensor    -   8 . . . light amount control unit    -   9 . . . light amount adjusting device    -   10-13 . . . optical filter    -   15 . . . driving unit    -   20 . . . imaging optical system    -   30 a-30 d . . . mask    -   51 . . . video camera body    -   55 . . . liquid crystal monitor    -   56 . . . viewfinder

The invention claimed is:
 1. A light amount adjusting device comprisinga plurality of ND filter elements each having different lighttransmittances, wherein each of the plurality of ND filter elementscomprises a transparent substrate and stacked layers of dielectric filmsand light absorption films, the stacked layers being configured todefine spectral characteristics including reflected light color, andwherein a color difference between reflected light colors from imagesensor-side surfaces of the plurality of ND filter elements is not morethan 10, the color difference being a CIE 2000 color difference whereinD65 is used as a light source, and an incident angle of 5 degrees and asensitivity in a 10-degree visual field are used.
 2. The light amountadjusting device according to claim 1, wherein, in the reflectionspectrum of each of the plurality of ND filter elements, a peakreflectance between 500 nm and 600 nm is larger than a peak reflectancebetween 400 nm and 500 nm.
 3. The light amount adjusting deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein, in the reflection spectrum of each of theplurality of ND filter elements, a peak reflectance between 500 nm and600 nm is larger than a peak reflectance between 600 nm and 700 nm. 4.An image capturing device comprising the light amount adjusting deviceaccording to claim 1 and an image sensor.
 5. A light amount adjustingdevice comprising at least three ND filter elements each havingdifferent light transmittances, wherein each of the at least three NDfilter elements comprises a transparent substrate and stacked layers ofdielectric films and light absorption films, the stacked layers beingconfigured to define spectral characteristics including reflected lightcolor, and wherein a color difference between reflected light colorsfrom image sensor-side surfaces of the at least three ND filter elementsis not more than 10, the color difference being a CIE 2000 colordifference wherein D65 is used as a light source, and an incident angleof 5 degrees and a sensitivity in a 10-degree visual field are used. 6.The light amount adjusting device according to claim 5, wherein, in thereflection spectrum of each of the at least three ND filter elements, apeak reflectance between 500 nm and 600 nm is larger than a peakreflectance between 400 nm and 500 nm.
 7. The light amount adjustingdevice according to claim 5, wherein, in the reflection spectrum of eachof the at least three ND filter elements, a peak reflectance between 500nm and 600 nm is larger than a peak reflectance between 600 nm and 700nm.
 8. An image capturing device comprising the light amount adjustingdevice according to claim 5 and an image sensor.